Hotel Snapshot
Opened in 2025, Trailborn Grand Canyon brings a punch of personality to the small town of Williams, Arizona. Ideal for outdoorsy adventurers and Route 66 road-trippers, Trailborn Grand Canyon makes a hip basecamp near the South Rim of its namesake national park in a place that was long lacking.
Design & Character
Trailborn Grand Canyon is the latest from the outdoors-focused brand, which runs a clutch of properties across the country that are all set in iconic landscapes, with several in national park gateway towns. In Williams, Trailborn Grand Canyon took over a 1950s Route 66 motor lodge, keeping its vintage bones while introducing significant upgrades. It remains deeply rooted in place and time, radiating stylish Southwestern chic and homey mid-mod vibes. Trailborn Grand Canyon is a slice of vintage Americana done up right for the modern traveler.
The Rooms
The drive-up rooms are set across lower and upper levels, and Route 66 aesthetics show up in preserved historic fixtures, like the hotel’s old-school oversized sign with neon and plastic marquee lettering. The decor of the rooms echoes the history and desert landscapes of the American Southwest through warm woods, leather-stitched lamp shades, black-and-white Wild West prints and muted earth tones accented with pops of color. The updated bathrooms include new walk-in showers graced with shampoo and soap from Grown Alchemist, a leading clean beauty brand.
Food & Drink
The on-site Miss Kitty's Steakhouse is one of the best places to eat in Williams, even if you don’t end up staying at the hotel. The bar area is a masterpiece of dark wood and handcrafted jade tiles, while the dining room takes a more subdued approach to the decor, allowing diners’ attention to focus on the bright yellow menus. What to order? The steaks are, of course, an excellent, obvious choice, rubbed with inventive spice mixes, such as black chili coffee, but the menu includes Southwest favorites of all sorts alongside Route 66 diner classics, from vegan cauliflower tacos to smash burgers. The bar menu is understandably heavy with agave spirits, but the must-order is the All-American old fashioned, poured with bourbon and smoothed out with a Dr. Pepper reduction.
Breakfast is included in the room price, and it’s served in the spacious Camp Hall, which doubles as an event space for live music concerts, movie screenings and family-friendly game nights.
Amenities
Trailborn Grand Canyon is focused on the great outdoors, even when you’re on the property. A hot tub and a small kidney-shaped pool are set in the middle of the hotel grounds, and guests can roast marshmallows for s’mores at the nearby fire pit. Play bocce ball or cornhole at the games court or set off on a rented bicycle to explore the town. The hotel can also arrange excursions further afield, including guided hikes, stargazing and helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon.
Families and travelers with pets are well catered for, with custom doggie bandanas and in-room “camping” complete with tents and treats.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Williams, population 3,500, is a gateway to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and as such is somnolent by day while visitors are at the national park. Trailborn Grand Canyon is less than a mile from the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, which delivers travelers by train straight to the canyon rim and makes for a more memorable experience than driving the 55 miles to the park. Route 66 cuts right through town and is lined with quirky souvenir shops in restored gas stations, roadside diners and dive bars.
Fast Facts
Location: Williams, AZ
Vibe: A hip, updated take on a vintage motel catering to outdoor explorers
Rating: 4.5-Star
Room Count: 96
Pricing: Starting at $175 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Staff who go above and beyond to make sure you have an excellent adventure on and off property
Dining: Miss Kitty's Steakhouse for steak and Southwest-inspired meals
Amenities: Pool and hot tub, fire pit, indoor and outdoor areas for games, rentable bicycles, organized excursions to unique outdoor activities
Nearby Attractions: Grand Canyon Railway, South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Route 66, Bearizona drive-thru wildlife park
Airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, about 35 minutes by car
